Your final grades and all their component scores are now accessible from the Blackboard "My Grades" tab.
I enjoyed teaching you and invite you to keep me abreast of the successes and challenges you encounter in the future. The TAs and course assistants join me in wishing you a good summer and a future of good health and prosperity. Special best wishes to those of you who are graduating this semester.
I’m in my office most of the time when school is in session and often during breaks, and you are always welcome to come in to discuss topics from the course or other matters. It’s usually best to call first, especially during intersession or other school vacations. You'll need an appointment if you want to meet with me next Monday or next Tuesday morning, and I'll be out of the office from sometime 5/10 through 5/12 taking care of a family matter.
ANSWER SHEETS AND EXAMS: I plan to dispose of all spring quiz answer sheets at the end of May. You won’t find anything useful in these piles, but the papers include everyone’s name and Albany ID. In order to protect your privacy, I send it to a secure off-campus disposal facility. If you’d rather handle these documents yourself, either come in soon and pick them out or email me a request to hold them for you until a time that is convenient for you to come and get them.
(As a privacy advocate, I instituted this policy years ago to protect people's Social Security numbers. Nobody took me up on it then, nor has anyone done so since we changed to local ID's. Still, if you want these old quiz scantrons, you are invited to request them.)
I may post one last message on this BMgt341-L distribution list before it expires later this month.
Again, my best to you always.
Prof. M. Fogelman
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tomorrow's exam room assignments
Here are the room assignments for tomorrow morning's exam. This sign will be posted on LC2, LC5, LC6, and LC7--also on my office door in BA324.
B Mgt 341 Final Exam Room Assignments
The exam will be given Thursday, 5/5,
from 8:00-10:00 a.m.
(Students who want extra time may arrive at 7:30)
Section 4779 (8:45 class): should go to LC-7
Section 3414 (10:15 class): Students taking more than one of exams 1b, 2b, and 3b are in LC-6
Section 3414 (10:15 class): Students planning to take one of exams 1b, 2b, or 3b are in LC-5
Q and A re finals 1b, 2b, and 3b and final exam instructions
Q and A re finals 1b, 2b, and 3b and final exam instructions
A few questions i've had and helpful hints associated with them:
Exam 1b:
Q: Is Hofstede a folk hero? What should we know about his national culture framework?
A: Yes, he's a folk hero, and you should be able to recognize what he means by the 5 dimensions that make up the framework: masculinity/femininity, individualism/collectivism, etc.
Exam 2b:
Q: What to we have to know about expectancy theory, and is Vroom a folk hero?
A: Vroom's not a folk hero, but you should understand what expectancy, instrumentality, and valence mean in that context and how they combine as factors in motivation.
Q: What do we need to know about the "psychological contract"?
A: Understand what it is and how it's applied--both the "traditional" psy contract and what I referred to in class and the notes as the "modern version" (the one I sometimes associate with Jack Welch), which looks at loyalty in a different way from the traditional version.
Exam 3b:
Q: What do we need to know about the group development stages? (storming, norming, etc.)
A: Just have a good idea what happens during each stage, as we discussed in class. A more detailed discussion, from Wikipedia, follows:
Hofstede's Framework for Assessing Culture
Hofstede has found five dimensions of culture in his study of national work related values. Replication studies have yielded similar results, pointing to stability of the dimensions across time. The dimensions are:
Small vs. large power distance
How much the less powerful members of institutions and organizations expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. In cultures with small power distance (e.g. Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand), people expect and accept power relations that are more consultative or democratic. People relate to one another more as equals regardless of formal positions. Subordinates are more comfortable with and demand the right to contribute to and critique the decisions of those in power. In cultures with large power distance (e.g. Malaysia), the less powerful accept power relations that are autocratic or paternalistic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others based on their formal, hierarchical positions. Thus, Small vs. Large Power Distance does not measure or attempt to measure a culture's objective, "real" power distribution, but rather the way people perceive power differences.
Individualism vs. collectivism
How much members of the culture define themselves apart from their group memberships. In individualist cultures, people are expected to develop and display their individual personalities and to choose their own affiliations. In collectivist cultures, people are defined and act mostly as a member of a long-term group, such as the family, a religious group, an age cohort, a town, or a profession, among others. This dimension was found to move towards the individualist end of the spectrum with increasing national wealth.
Masculinity vs. femininity
The value placed on traditionally male or female values (as understood in most Western cultures). In so-called 'masculine' cultures, people (whether male or female) value competitiveness, assertiveness, ambition, and the accumulation of wealth and material possessions. In so-called 'feminine' cultures, people (again whether male or female) value relationships and quality of life. This dimension is often renamed by users of Hofstede's work, e.g. to Quantity of Life vs. Quality of Life. Another reading of the same dimension holds that in 'M' cultures, the differences between gender roles are more dramatic and less fluid than in 'F' cultures; but this strongly depends on other dimensions as well.
Weak vs. strong uncertainty avoidance
How much members of a society are anxious about the unknown, and as a consequence, attempt to cope with anxiety by minimizing uncertainty. In cultures with strong uncertainty avoidance, people prefer explicit rules (e.g. about religion and food) and formally structured activities, and employees tend to remain longer with their present employer. In cultures with weak uncertainty avoidance, people prefer implicit or flexible rules or guidelines and informal activities. Employees tend to change employers more frequently.
Michael Harris Bond and his collaborators subsequently found a fifth dimension which was initially called Confucian dynamism. Hofstede later incorporated this into his framework as:
Long vs. short term orientation
A society's "time horizon," or the importance attached to the future versus the past and present. In long term oriented societies, people value actions and attitudes that affect the future: persistence/perseverance, thrift, and shame. In short term oriented societies, people value actions and attitudes that are affected by the past or the present: normative statements, immediate stability, protecting one's own face, respect for tradition, and reciprocation of greetings, favors, and gifts.
These cultural differences describe averages or tendencies and not characteristics of individuals. A Japanese person for example can have a very low 'uncertainty avoidance' compared to a Filipino person even though their 'national' cultures point strongly in a different direction. Consequently, a country's scores should not be interpreted as deterministic.
A few questions i've had and helpful hints associated with them:
Exam 1b:
Q: Is Hofstede a folk hero? What should we know about his national culture framework?
A: Yes, he's a folk hero, and you should be able to recognize what he means by the 5 dimensions that make up the framework: masculinity/femininity, individualism/collectivism, etc.
Exam 2b:
Q: What to we have to know about expectancy theory, and is Vroom a folk hero?
A: Vroom's not a folk hero, but you should understand what expectancy, instrumentality, and valence mean in that context and how they combine as factors in motivation.
Q: What do we need to know about the "psychological contract"?
A: Understand what it is and how it's applied--both the "traditional" psy contract and what I referred to in class and the notes as the "modern version" (the one I sometimes associate with Jack Welch), which looks at loyalty in a different way from the traditional version.
Exam 3b:
Q: What do we need to know about the group development stages? (storming, norming, etc.)
A: Just have a good idea what happens during each stage, as we discussed in class. A more detailed discussion, from Wikipedia, follows:
Hofstede's Framework for Assessing Culture
Hofstede has found five dimensions of culture in his study of national work related values. Replication studies have yielded similar results, pointing to stability of the dimensions across time. The dimensions are:
Small vs. large power distance
How much the less powerful members of institutions and organizations expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. In cultures with small power distance (e.g. Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand), people expect and accept power relations that are more consultative or democratic. People relate to one another more as equals regardless of formal positions. Subordinates are more comfortable with and demand the right to contribute to and critique the decisions of those in power. In cultures with large power distance (e.g. Malaysia), the less powerful accept power relations that are autocratic or paternalistic. Subordinates acknowledge the power of others based on their formal, hierarchical positions. Thus, Small vs. Large Power Distance does not measure or attempt to measure a culture's objective, "real" power distribution, but rather the way people perceive power differences.
Individualism vs. collectivism
How much members of the culture define themselves apart from their group memberships. In individualist cultures, people are expected to develop and display their individual personalities and to choose their own affiliations. In collectivist cultures, people are defined and act mostly as a member of a long-term group, such as the family, a religious group, an age cohort, a town, or a profession, among others. This dimension was found to move towards the individualist end of the spectrum with increasing national wealth.
Masculinity vs. femininity
The value placed on traditionally male or female values (as understood in most Western cultures). In so-called 'masculine' cultures, people (whether male or female) value competitiveness, assertiveness, ambition, and the accumulation of wealth and material possessions. In so-called 'feminine' cultures, people (again whether male or female) value relationships and quality of life. This dimension is often renamed by users of Hofstede's work, e.g. to Quantity of Life vs. Quality of Life. Another reading of the same dimension holds that in 'M' cultures, the differences between gender roles are more dramatic and less fluid than in 'F' cultures; but this strongly depends on other dimensions as well.
Weak vs. strong uncertainty avoidance
How much members of a society are anxious about the unknown, and as a consequence, attempt to cope with anxiety by minimizing uncertainty. In cultures with strong uncertainty avoidance, people prefer explicit rules (e.g. about religion and food) and formally structured activities, and employees tend to remain longer with their present employer. In cultures with weak uncertainty avoidance, people prefer implicit or flexible rules or guidelines and informal activities. Employees tend to change employers more frequently.
Michael Harris Bond and his collaborators subsequently found a fifth dimension which was initially called Confucian dynamism. Hofstede later incorporated this into his framework as:
Long vs. short term orientation
A society's "time horizon," or the importance attached to the future versus the past and present. In long term oriented societies, people value actions and attitudes that affect the future: persistence/perseverance, thrift, and shame. In short term oriented societies, people value actions and attitudes that are affected by the past or the present: normative statements, immediate stability, protecting one's own face, respect for tradition, and reciprocation of greetings, favors, and gifts.
These cultural differences describe averages or tendencies and not characteristics of individuals. A Japanese person for example can have a very low 'uncertainty avoidance' compared to a Filipino person even though their 'national' cultures point strongly in a different direction. Consequently, a country's scores should not be interpreted as deterministic.
TEXT FROM TOMORROW'S FINAL EXAM COVER PAGE
B Mgt 341 – 5/5/2011 - Finals 1b, 2b, 3b
REMOVING ANY QUESTION SHEET FROM THE EXAMINATION ROOM WILL RESULT IN A FAILING COURSE GRADE AND JUDICIAL ACTION!!!
1. Pick up answer sheets as you exchange your picture id for this question sheet packet. ALL FINAL EXAMS IN THIS PACKET ARE VERSION 3!!!. [YOUR VERSION# MAY VARY]
3. Write one of the following six section identification lines across the top of side one of each answer sheet you use:
Section 4779 (8:45)
4779 Exam 1b (8)
4779 Exam 2b (9)
4779 Exam 3b (10)
Section 3414 (10:15)
3414 Exam 1b (8)
3414 Exam 2b (9)
3414 Exam 3b (10)
4. Answer the exam questions on 1b, 2b and/or 3b in any order you like, selecting the best answer for each question.
5. When you are completely finished, stand up, put your pencils away, retrieve your belongings, and go to the back of the room.
6. Place your answer sheets in the appropriate file boxes or piles (1b, 2b, and 3b).
7. Exchange this question sheet packet for your ID card before leaving.
Please read and sign the following declaration: I understand that I may review my exam by appointment until noon on Tuesday, May 10, and I may initiate an appeal of final exam questions through Thursday, May 12. Outside of normal class and online materials, I obtained no advance knowledge of any questions. Missing or incorrect entries for (1) my ID number, (2) my name, or (3) the exam version number may cause that exam grade to be reduced by 3 points. _____________________________________ Signed
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Session 26 Videos
I had planned to show three short student-created videos, which run 15 minutes all together, as part of class session 26 on 5/3). A combination of technical problems, mainly the inability to play them loud enough for LC2, will make that public showing unfeasible.
I"ve placed them in a file on our BMgt341 Blackboard homepage and request that you watch them before Tuesday's class. You may enjoy them and they should make you think.
Thank you.
Prof. M. Fogelman
I"ve placed them in a file on our BMgt341 Blackboard homepage and request that you watch them before Tuesday's class. You may enjoy them and they should make you think.
Thank you.
Prof. M. Fogelman
Pre-exam "final" grades are posted
Pre-exam "final" grades are posted
Your grades are all posted and released, and they should reflect most gradebook corrections requested via mgt341ga@yahoo.com up to this point. Changes pointed out anytime today should take effect on Monday. Even though I don’t enforce a firm deadline, it is a mistake for you to wait any longer before identifying any unaccounted for hotseat credit, assignment point, or other missing grade component.
With the exception of clicker points, all grade recording problems should be addressed to the TAs at mgt341ga@yahoo.com. email me personally at fogelman@albany.edu regarding any clicker point questions you have. If you are one of the small number of people who never check the weekly hotseat points report and just now discover you have no clicker credit, EMAIL ME YOUR CLICKER NUMBER AND INDICATE WHICH CLASS YOU ARE IN. I will look up how many points that clicker earned and instruct the TAs to post your credit. Of course, students and former students are always welcome to contact me regarding ANY concern associated with this course or other matters.
As I noted several times during the term, grades have been adjusted to increase the relevant class average to B+. Since the exam 3a grades averaged slightly below my last forecast, the final curve factor is 1.04. This is one percent more than our earlier estimate of 1.03. Therefore, each student’s term grade has been boosted by 4% of itself. Your actual earned grade appears in the row titled “F Raw Term Grade (A+B+C+D+E),” with the increased final grade posted as “G Adjusted Term Grade equals RawTermGrade * 1.04 (89.499999 is a B+ and 89.5 is an A-).” The column named "E Clicker points to add," reflects 0.091 course points per click up to a maximum of 10.01 course points for 110 or more clicks. (There were 121 all together.)
As indicated above, a term grade with a decimal portion of .50 or higher is rounded up to the next whole number in order to assign letter grades. You can verify the letter grade entry by finding your adjusted term grade in the “Grades” table at the bottom of page 3 of our syllabus.
A final grade will change only if something occurs to increase one or more of its components, the most likely reason being improved performance on one, two or three of the "second chance" finals to be given on Thursday, May 5 at 8 a.m. Since students could earn up to 30.01 “free” points in addition to an extra five points on each exam, and since overall grades have now been raised another 4% beyond what was earned including all those free points, there is no point asking for a higher grade because the current one falls just short of the next cutoff point. In many cases, the letter grade awarded is already two intervals higher than the one that was actually earned before the curve.
SOME CALCULATED GRADE VALUES WILL NOT BE VIEWABLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS, EITHER DURING THE MAY 7-8 WEEKEND OR ON MONDAY, MAY 9. I SUPPRESS THESE RESULTS AT THAT TIME IN ORDER TO PREVENT CONFUSION WHILE FINAL EXAM GRADES 1b, 2b, AND 3b ARE BEING UPLOADED AND THEIR ASSOCIATED TERM AVERAGES AND LETTER GRADES RECALCULATED.
Good luck to those who will be taking taking our final (Exams 1b, 2b, and/or 3b). If I won't be seeing you in our last class or at the exam (THURSDAY, MAY 5 at 8 a.m., by the way), I wish you the best in your other courses and all your future endeavors.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
3a/3b digital audio reviews and 1b/2b video reviews
2 students have told me they could not access the reviews tonight via electronic reserve, so I've put additional copies on the blackboard homepages.
The video review sessions (one for exams 1b and 2b, and another with just the 2b portion) are now available via electronic reserve. There are also powerpoint slides there for exams 1b and 2b.
The video review sessions (one for exams 1b and 2b, and another with just the 2b portion) are now available via electronic reserve. There are also powerpoint slides there for exams 1b and 2b.
Exam 3a questions from students
Here are some recent questions from students with my replies included.
Q:
I was wondering if you could answer two questions for me. They are related
to the University of Michigan hospital studies and IDEO. ...What are the most important things I should
know about the two topics?
A: Regarding the UM case, remember what they were faced with (resistance, etc.), how they implemented the program (e.g., TQM and the groups' levels of autonomy), and what the outcomes were.
The aspects of IDEO's "deep dive" decision processes, which I mentioned in the digital audio exam reviews posted today, are most of what you'll need to review for exams 3a/3b.
------------------------
Q: First, in the ethics session, the shareholder theory is the same as the
agency theory(by friedman)? if so, what does it support? And what is the
difference with the stakeholder theory by Freeman?
A:Agency theory is defined in the slide I put up in class...along with several that were in your session 24 set of review slides. You can get a fuller definition from it online if you like--here, for example (considering the manager as "broker" and the shareholder as "client"):
I used AT in reference to the shareholder view, just to point out how it addresses the fact that managers' interests sometimes diverge from those of owners. You won't have to deal on these exams with the complicated relationship between AT and the stakeholder view.
Also, from the leadership session, do we need to know characteristics of
each contingency factor from the goal trait theory(for example
achievement-oriented,work facilitation etc)or just know the general
research findings and managerial implications?
All you need to know about contingency theory is the topics I discussed in class, which are also in your slides. (Of course, you may need to review the chapter to fully understand those aspects--which DON'T include any full analysis of the goal trait theory you note in your question.)
-----------------------
http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Agency+Theory
Q:
I was wondering if you could answer two questions for me. They are related
to the University of Michigan hospital studies and IDEO. ...What are the most important things I should
know about the two topics?
A: Regarding the UM case, remember what they were faced with (resistance, etc.), how they implemented the program (e.g., TQM and the groups' levels of autonomy), and what the outcomes were.
The aspects of IDEO's "deep dive" decision processes, which I mentioned in the digital audio exam reviews posted today, are most of what you'll need to review for exams 3a/3b.
------------------------
Q: What do you mean by know the functions of groups and teams? Also i want to make sure that we don't need to know about social loafing and How to build and maintain trust?
A: The functions of teams center on how they function and what they do, especially what they can do well. Though I didn’t single out either of those other topics, I’m not guaranteeing they’re completely absent from the exam. …mf
----------------------------------
Q: Looking back at my notes I seem to miss what a semi-autonomous work group is and self designing team is could you please explain what they are again or if not where i might find the answer.
A:
Q: Looking back at my notes I seem to miss what a semi-autonomous work group is and self designing team is could you please explain what they are again or if not where i might find the answer.
A:
self-designing team | team that has the characteristics of self-managing teams but that also controls team design, work tasks, and team membership |
self-managing team | team that manages and controls all the major tasks of producing a product or service |
semi-autonomous work group --------------- | group that has the authority to make decisions and solve problems related to some tasks associated with producing a product or service |
agency theory(by friedman)? if so, what does it support? And what is the
difference with the stakeholder theory by Freeman?
A:Agency theory is defined in the slide I put up in class...along with several that were in your session 24 set of review slides. You can get a fuller definition from it online if you like--here, for example (considering the manager as "broker" and the shareholder as "client"):
I used AT in reference to the shareholder view, just to point out how it addresses the fact that managers' interests sometimes diverge from those of owners. You won't have to deal on these exams with the complicated relationship between AT and the stakeholder view.
Also, from the leadership session, do we need to know characteristics of
each contingency factor from the goal trait theory(for example
achievement-oriented,work facilitation etc)or just know the general
research findings and managerial implications?
All you need to know about contingency theory is the topics I discussed in class, which are also in your slides. (Of course, you may need to review the chapter to fully understand those aspects--which DON'T include any full analysis of the goal trait theory you note in your question.)
-----------------------
http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Agency+Theory
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
(1) typo corrected, and (2) extra office hours tomw a.m.
1. An alert student pointed out to me that I inadvertently had two assignments listed with the same number--Asg05. I've corrected the second one, due 4/14, on both the Blackboard homepage and the blog. If you've already done the service learning assignment, the easiest solution is for you to re-post what you've written as Asg06. Of course, you're entitled to credit for both Asg05 and Asg06 even if you forget and leave them both posted as Asg05. My apologies for the error.
2. If you need to meet me...
From time to time, students indicate they want a meeting with me but cannot make the time during my office hours or the other days of the week when I'm here. In that case, tomorrow's class time might be the best chance for us to meet. Just let me know by email if you'd like to speak with me then and I'll be sure not to leave my office at that time. (Class session 21 on 4/7, as you know, is a virtual one that is now available online.)
Incidentally, I remind you not to wait until the last minute to review any of the course session or review videos on electronic reserve--available via Blackboard. High usage levels can cause the video server to lock out any additional users--especially late in the term.
2. If you need to meet me...
From time to time, students indicate they want a meeting with me but cannot make the time during my office hours or the other days of the week when I'm here. In that case, tomorrow's class time might be the best chance for us to meet. Just let me know by email if you'd like to speak with me then and I'll be sure not to leave my office at that time. (Class session 21 on 4/7, as you know, is a virtual one that is now available online.)
Incidentally, I remind you not to wait until the last minute to review any of the course session or review videos on electronic reserve--available via Blackboard. High usage levels can cause the video server to lock out any additional users--especially late in the term.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Blackboard Assignments #5, #6, #7, and #8
Regarding Blackboard Assignments #5, #6, #7, and #8
Due April 12, 14, 26, and 28, respectively
For your convenience as we approach the term’s crush period, assignments #5, #6, #7, and #8 are posted together. They have different deadlines, as you can see, but you are encouraged to complete them as early as possible. (Please DO NOT do Asg08 TOO early.) Liaisons have no extra responsibility on assignments #5 and #8; they should just do what all the other students do. Liaisons are also advised that there will be no Blackboard contributions #9 and #10. For those two assignments, everyone gets two **really free** points. If liaisons want to be sure to take their two individual Blackboard Assignment "days off," assignments #5, #6, #7, and #8 will be their last opportunities to do so. Liaisons doing 7 or 8 assignments receive the same 10 individual contribution points as those who do just six of them.
Blackboard Assignment #5 - Asg05-Grp##
Due date: TUESDAY, APRIL 12
In the “student edition” of the premium content site, go to Self-Assessment Topic 13, Communication, and complete the “Active Listening Skills Inventory.” Once you complete the survey as honestly as possible, you will be issued a feedback report. Do you agree fully with the feedback you received? Write a short response outlining the reasons you do or do not agree with this feedback. Feel free to cite specific conversations or other events from your own experience or instances you are familiar with. Liaisons do only what is required of everyone else for this assignment. Due date: TUESDAY, April 12.Blackboard Assignment #6 (Asg06-Group##)
Due THURSDAY, April 14
Lives people generally consider to be "well-lived" are often characterized by extensive community involvement, so "service learning" is a topic we've mentioned more than once in class. Though doing a project to benefit both the student and the community is an important part of students' preparation for business careers, such an activity is not easily mentored and evaluated in a survey course like Management 341. Knowing and thinking about SL, however, remains an objective of this course. Write a short report (1-3 paragraphs) covering one of three topics: (1) a service learning project you began and sustained throughout this term, (2) some such project you carried out at any time in the past, or (3) a project you will or might engage in at some time in the future. Include a discussion of the activity's benefits to you and to the community. There is a wealth of information at the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse web site (http://www.servicelearning.org/what_is_service-learning/service-learning_is/index.php). Along with a more detailed definition and explanation of the process, you will find a glossary of terms and a list of some jobs/activities to give you ideas. Appropriate local undertakings might include work on the campus drive to increase organ and tissue donation, cooperating with the Junior Chamber of Commerce to teach economic concepts to public school students, or running a campaign to provide household or medical supplies to less privileged populations here or in developing nations. Due date: THURSDAY, April 14.
In addition to doing what is required of everyone else for this assignment, liaisons should post a paragraph to the executive council discussion board. In this posting, please indicate which of the other students’ exercises you considered to be of the greatest overall learning and service value in each category ([1] those that are in progress, [2] those actually completed, and [3] those that are planned or imagined). Indicate why you chose this posting above the others in that category. Of course, you can ignore any category in which no group member posted. Liaison posting deadline: FRIDAY, April 15.
Individual Blackboard Assignment #7
Due on TUESDAY, April 26
In the "student edition" of the premium content site, take the Self Assessment titled “Assessing Your Ethical Decision-Making Skills.” Read the feedback and write one or two sentences reporting your score and reacting to it in any way you like. Look over Session number “24 Supplemental Ethics Case Slides,” posted on Electronic Reserve two weeks before this assignment’s deadline. Then go to the Manager's Hot Seat section and complete Scenario #2: Ethics: Let’s Make a Fourth Quarter Deal. Review the profiles, references, scenario, and dossier before you create your report.
Answer the questions throughout the case, and add a paragraph evaluating Jason’s performance.
Please post your assignment as Asg07-GrpNN, where NN represents your 2-digit group number. If you are in Group 18, for example, the subject heading will include "Asg07-Grp18" with no spaces, and the posting will be created on the group 12 discussion forum.
In addition to doing the same assignment as everyone else, liaisons should read everyone else’s assignments and post a message (Asg07-Grp18) to the Executive Council discussion. First, liaisons should list people’s scores on the assessment (not their names, just their scores), and then write a paragraph discussing very generally the variation in their evaluations of Jason’s performance. Indicate whether you think the group could have been lead to any consensus about Jason’s overall behavior in this scenario and how YOU believe he should proceed at this point.
This liaison report is due by THURSDAY, April 28.
Blackboard Assignment #8 (Asg08-Grp##)
Due THURSDAY, April 28
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
EMAIL #1
Hi I have a few questions about practice exam questions from Spring 2009
Exam 2A.
29. Which of the following team building practices is most often
facilitated successfully by outside consultants?
A. Implementing a continuous improvement program.
B. Establishing a clear and elevating team goal.
C. Running an outdoor team-building experience.
D. Eliminating functional diversity among the members.
E. Ensuring that team members have adequate resources to achieve their tasks.
The answer is C but I wasn't sure why.
26. Which form of trust is generally Least affected by small violations?
A. Identification-based trust. D. Knowledge-based trust.
B. Deterrence-based trust. E. Equity trust.
The answer is A but I wasn't sure why.
And Finally, I've seen references to Psychological contracts and flextime
in various exams and was wondering what they were?
--------------------------------
Reply #1:
Outside consultant question:
A, B and E are more or less permanent core responsibilities of management, not the kind of thing that’s usually outsourced.
D isn’t a good idea at all.
E is generally a one-time task that can require a great deal of specialization, which most managers may not have or need.
We discussed flextime in class yesterday. One good definition: A system of working where people work a set number of hours within a fixed period of time, but can vary the time they start or finish work.
The answers to the others are in the video and slides from the class scheduled for 3/10. Pls let me know if you are unable to find them there.
Email #2, with responses included in caps
My additions or comments in CAPS below...mf
Hi, I have been struggling to get the complete grasp over some of the
perceptual shortcuts and errors, can you help me out and add/edit whatever
is wrong/unclear.
So, the Halo Effect- when a rater forms an overall impression about an
object and then uses that impression to bias ratings about the object.
(so this is when you rate a professor high because you like him) ... OR BECAUSE HE PRODUCES VERY GOOD IN-CLASS MEDIA
The Fundamental Attribution Error- is ignoring environmental factors that
affect behavior ... OTHER PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR
Self-Serving Bias- taking more personal responsibility for success than
Failure
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy- is when your internal thoughts cause something
to happen (think you will fail exam- you fail) AFTER DOING THINGS LIKE LOSING SLEEP DUE TO WORRY WHICH BRING IT ABOUT
This is a clicker question:
Edward has been late for work several times this month, largely due to
others' traffic accidents. Elaine, his supervisor, thinks Edward may no
longer care about his job. Elaine's reaction is likely an example of
_______________ . The answer would be none of the above and it would be
the Fundamental Attribution Error is that correct? YES THAT'S CORRECT.
Hi, I have been struggling to get the complete grasp over some of the
perceptual shortcuts and errors, can you help me out and add/edit whatever
is wrong/unclear.
So, the Halo Effect- when a rater forms an overall impression about an
object and then uses that impression to bias ratings about the object.
(so this is when you rate a professor high because you like him) ... OR BECAUSE HE PRODUCES VERY GOOD IN-CLASS MEDIA
The Fundamental Attribution Error- is ignoring environmental factors that
affect behavior ... OTHER PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR
Self-Serving Bias- taking more personal responsibility for success than
Failure
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy- is when your internal thoughts cause something
to happen (think you will fail exam- you fail) AFTER DOING THINGS LIKE LOSING SLEEP DUE TO WORRY WHICH BRING IT ABOUT
This is a clicker question:
Edward has been late for work several times this month, largely due to
others' traffic accidents. Elaine, his supervisor, thinks Edward may no
longer care about his job. Elaine's reaction is likely an example of
_______________ . The answer would be none of the above and it would be
the Fundamental Attribution Error is that correct? YES THAT'S CORRECT.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Important Exam 2a review items
Several of these items require more detailed explanation than we had in today's class. (One of more were not mentioned at all, so here they are.)
SESSION 12 and 15 MOTIVATION THEORIES AND PRACTICE
You should understand the different needs in Maslow’s theory and how they relate to each other. Consider the higher and lower order nature of those needs.
Know McClelland's views on different needs covered in class and in the text, and get a fix on which occupations are most associated with one or more of McClelland’s needs categories.
Know Herzberg's motivation-hygiene model-motivators and demotivators.
Understand equity theory and master the various terms associated with it: negative equity, entitled, etc.
Know the three major components of the EIV model of motivation (expectancy, instrumentality, and valence), and understand what happens when one is very low or not present at all.
How do we apply the job design process and the Job characteristics model? See the interaction among characteristics, critical psychological states, and outcomes. What moderates the relationship between the characteristics and outcomes.
Goal setting: grasp the definition and examples in text good, and know the definition and various parts of Locke and Latham’s whole model.
How do managers achieve goal commitment? Also have a good fix on 360-degree feedback and its applications and reinforcement definitions, schedules, and examples—including early job redesign efforts.
SESSION 14 HIGH-PERFORMANCE TEAM BUILDING
Types and characteristics of high-performance teams, including procedures and exercises used to build teams
Know also from the class and/or the readings what makes team leaders effective in building and leading high-performing teams. What makes an effective team leader?
SESSION 10 and SESSION 16
Covey's Habits of Highly Effective People
Self-management/time management techniques from Sobel and Session 16 readings.
Other facts about social networks, entrepreneurship, goals, and to-do lists.
Most observations and readings regarding “Free Agent Nation,” branding yourself, and possibly USP.
Know aspects of the career planning process, training and development. Who plays what role in creating a career plan and action plan? Know the alternative career life-cycle models discussed in class.
In case it is unavailable on the listserv, this link will work from the class blog:
Another important aspect of career planning and employee retention
Another important aspect of career planning and employee retention
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Session 13 (3/10) video presentation
In case anyone hasn't yet watched the online presentation assigned for 3/10, I'd caution you not to wait till the last minute. The server might become overloaded as we approach our Thursday exam time, and I don't believe it can handle dozens of viewers at the same time. Best...mf
Monday, March 14, 2011
Asg04 - Due on TUESDAY, 3/22
Individual Blackboard Assignment #4
Due on TUESDAY, 3/22
In the "student edition" of the premium content site, go to the Manager's Hot Seat section and complete Scenario #15: Working in Teams: Cross-Functional Dysfunction. Review the profiles, references, scenario, and dossier before you create your report.
In this case, however, do not just answer the question about what Joe Tanney should do to make the implementation a success. Indicate as well what Joe—and probably Joe’s boss, Jeffrey Dillon (see Dossier exhibit 2)—could have done at the outset to prevent or minimize the challenges Rosa and Simon may present to this project. Feel free to include aspects of team size, motivation, mutual responsibility, “virtuality,” etc.
As in the previous assignment, you must answer the questions posed during the scenario, include them in your report, and paste the resulting text file into a Blackboard discussion entry.
Please post your assignment as Asg04-GrpNN, where NN represents your 2-digit group number. If you are in Group 2, for example, the subject heading will include "Asg04-Grp02" with no spaces, and the posting will be created on the group 2 discussion forum.
In addition to the assignment above, each group is invited to SELECT A LIAISON on or before the same deadline. There is no set method for selecting this “officer,” though the most common process is for someone to volunteer on the group discussion list and give anyone else who is interested a couple of days to speak up.
The liaison will complete two or three very easy additional tasks in exchange for being excused from completing any two Blackboard assignments. (Nobody has ever [EVER!] regretted the decision to volunteer to be their team’s liaison.)
Once liaisons have been chosen, they need to come up before or after class to enter their names on a list. This can also be filled in during office hours in BA324.
Liaisons have no additional task to do for this assignment. They just complete it the same way as anyone else.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bill Sobel Correction + his coming events
The website Bill mentioned Tuesday isn't 15secpitch.com; it's 15secondpitch.com.
Some of Bill's coming events (All except the April 12 fundraiser's are available free to Albany students who contact him beforehand):
March 2-3 The BRITE Conference/Columbia Business School/Center on Global Brand Leadership http://www.briteconference.com/
March 8th Small Business & Technology Summit http://smallbiztechsummit.com/
March 22nd SPECIAL EVENT Featuring Gary Shapiro" The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream" http://conta.cc/dIGjQ7
April 12th: Special Event in partnership with Boston University College of Communication: Bill O'Reilly and Ellis Henican at The Fox Hollow Inn and Conference Center, Woodbury, NY
April 27th: The Comcast/NBCU Merger...what does it mean to you, your business and your life?
May 4th: Daniel Seiberg: "The Digital Diet: The 4-step plan to break your tech addiction and regain balance in your life"
May 17th - 19th: SBA Small Business Week NYC produced by SobelMedia and ConstantContact
June 28th: Special Event in partnership with The UK Trade & Investment Office
Some of Bill's coming events (All except the April 12 fundraiser's are available free to Albany students who contact him beforehand):
March 2-3 The BRITE Conference/Columbia Business School/Center on Global Brand Leadership http://www.briteconference.com/
March 8th Small Business & Technology Summit http://smallbiztechsummit.com/
March 22nd SPECIAL EVENT Featuring Gary Shapiro" The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream" http://conta.cc/dIGjQ7
April 12th: Special Event in partnership with Boston University College of Communication: Bill O'Reilly and Ellis Henican at The Fox Hollow Inn and Conference Center, Woodbury, NY
April 27th: The Comcast/NBCU Merger...what does it mean to you, your business and your life?
May 4th: Daniel Seiberg: "The Digital Diet: The 4-step plan to break your tech addiction and regain balance in your life"
May 17th - 19th: SBA Small Business Week NYC produced by SobelMedia and ConstantContact
June 28th: Special Event in partnership with The UK Trade & Investment Office
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Blackboard Individual Assignment #3 - Due on or before TUESDAY, March 8.
Blackboard Individual Assignment #3 - Due on or before TUESDAY, March 8.
In the "student edition" of the premium content site, go to the Manager's Hot Seat section and complete Scenario #12: Virtual Workplace--Out of the Office Reply. Review the profiles, references, scenario, and dossier before you create your report evaluating how Ralph Ramos handled the situation. (Be sure to answer the 6 multiple choice questions in the conference scenario video itself, as THESE REPONSES WILL BE PASTED IN AS PART OF YOUR REPORT.)
Once you've created your report, you can save it--along with the responses--to a text file to copy and paste into a Blackboard discussion entry.
Please post your assignment as Asg03-GrpNN, where NN represents your 2-digit group number. If you are in Group 05, for example, the subject heading will include "Asg03-Grp05" with no spaces, and the posting should be created on the group 05 discussion forum.
Liaisons who have already been chosen or self-identified have no additional responsibilities; they just do the same assignment as everyone else.
In the "student edition" of the premium content site, go to the Manager's Hot Seat section and complete Scenario #12: Virtual Workplace--Out of the Office Reply. Review the profiles, references, scenario, and dossier before you create your report evaluating how Ralph Ramos handled the situation. (Be sure to answer the 6 multiple choice questions in the conference scenario video itself, as THESE REPONSES WILL BE PASTED IN AS PART OF YOUR REPORT.)
Once you've created your report, you can save it--along with the responses--to a text file to copy and paste into a Blackboard discussion entry.
Please post your assignment as Asg03-GrpNN, where NN represents your 2-digit group number. If you are in Group 05, for example, the subject heading will include "Asg03-Grp05" with no spaces, and the posting should be created on the group 05 discussion forum.
Liaisons who have already been chosen or self-identified have no additional responsibilities; they just do the same assignment as everyone else.
Monday, February 14, 2011
3 Important items for tomorrow's exam
[1] Exam time
Remember to come at the right time for your 35-minute exam tomorrow, 2/15
You will not be allowed to take the exam at any other time, so please make sure to come for your assigned 35-minute period.
Last name A through K: the FIRST 35 minutes of your class period
Last name L through Z: the LAST 35 minutes of your class period
Feel free to email almost anytime with questions regarding the exam. I will be happy to answer them until at least 5 pm today, Monday 2/14.
------------------------------------------------------
[2] Exam Packet Instructions
EXAM INSTRUCTION PAGE FOLLOWS. BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS, AND REMEMBER WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE VERSION NUMBER (INSTRUCTION 4).
=======================================================
B Mgt 341 – 2/15/11
Exam 1a
EXAM DAY INSTRUCTIONS
YOU MAY NOT REMOVE
THIS TEST FROM THE ROOM.
DO NOT OPEN THE QUESTION PACKET
UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.
1. Sit in every second—usually odd-numbered—seat of your assigned row (check the projector screen), starting with the seats on the aisles on the “non-podium” side of the room.
2. Only the exam and your pencils should be on the table. Place all other belongings, including cell phones, in your bag on the floor, preferably under your seat.
3. On the answer sheet, you may start bubbling in your name and ID right away. Write your full name on this sheet, the next page, and side 1 of the answer sheet, all last name first.
4. After you are told to open the question packet, you will find the version number at the top of the first question page.
5. Pay attention to any other instructions you are given.
Please read and sign the following declaration: Outside of normal class and online materials, I certify that I obtained no advance knowledge of any exam questions or content. I understand that I should fill in and code my name and id number, not my social security number, before I begin taking the exam. Missing or incorrect entries for (1) my ID number, (2) my name, and/or (3) the exam version number may cause my exam grade to be reduced by 3 points.
_______________________
Signature
-------------------------------------------------------------
Below is the content of the slide I left out of session 05's class review slides.
Helping Layoff Survivors
Managers can …
- Give them a stronger sense of control.
- Allow them to have a voice in how to move forward
- Help set the plans about how to accomplish future goals
- Have honest and frequent communication with them.
Remember to come at the right time for your 35-minute exam tomorrow, 2/15
You will not be allowed to take the exam at any other time, so please make sure to come for your assigned 35-minute period.
Last name A through K: the FIRST 35 minutes of your class period
Last name L through Z: the LAST 35 minutes of your class period
Feel free to email almost anytime with questions regarding the exam. I will be happy to answer them until at least 5 pm today, Monday 2/14.
------------------------------------------------------
[2] Exam Packet Instructions
EXAM INSTRUCTION PAGE FOLLOWS. BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS, AND REMEMBER WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE VERSION NUMBER (INSTRUCTION 4).
=======================================================
B Mgt 341 – 2/15/11
Exam 1a
EXAM DAY INSTRUCTIONS
YOU MAY NOT REMOVE
THIS TEST FROM THE ROOM.
DO NOT OPEN THE QUESTION PACKET
UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.
1. Sit in every second—usually odd-numbered—seat of your assigned row (check the projector screen), starting with the seats on the aisles on the “non-podium” side of the room.
2. Only the exam and your pencils should be on the table. Place all other belongings, including cell phones, in your bag on the floor, preferably under your seat.
3. On the answer sheet, you may start bubbling in your name and ID right away. Write your full name on this sheet, the next page, and side 1 of the answer sheet, all last name first.
4. After you are told to open the question packet, you will find the version number at the top of the first question page.
5. Pay attention to any other instructions you are given.
Please read and sign the following declaration: Outside of normal class and online materials, I certify that I obtained no advance knowledge of any exam questions or content. I understand that I should fill in and code my name and id number, not my social security number, before I begin taking the exam. Missing or incorrect entries for (1) my ID number, (2) my name, and/or (3) the exam version number may cause my exam grade to be reduced by 3 points.
_______________________
Signature
-------------------------------------------------------------
[3] Missing review slide
Below is the content of the slide I left out of session 05's class review slides.
Helping Layoff Survivors
Managers can …
- Give them a stronger sense of control.
- Allow them to have a voice in how to move forward
- Help set the plans about how to accomplish future goals
- Have honest and frequent communication with them.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
3 things you'll want to know...
There's a career and internship fair today at the SEFCU Arena. Many students have benefited from attending these events and getting a chance to meet prospective employers. More information is available at the career development website:
http://www.albany.edu/career/
In class tomorrow, we'll be covering some global and other topics originally listed on the session 01-02 PowerPoint review notes accessible through blackboard. ...Hotseat participants are only responsible for preparing the 2 articles and the video assigned for tomorrow (Session 07), though reviewing those earlier slides is certainly a good idea.
The in-class clicker questions for sessions 01-07 will be added to the available slides files sometime tomorrow afternoon, so you can also review them for next week's exam.
http://www.albany.edu/career/
In class tomorrow, we'll be covering some global and other topics originally listed on the session 01-02 PowerPoint review notes accessible through blackboard. ...Hotseat participants are only responsible for preparing the 2 articles and the video assigned for tomorrow (Session 07), though reviewing those earlier slides is certainly a good idea.
The in-class clicker questions for sessions 01-07 will be added to the available slides files sometime tomorrow afternoon, so you can also review them for next week's exam.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Blackboard Assignment #2, due FRIDAY 2/11/2011
Take Self Assessment #11: What Type of Organization Structure Do I Prefer?
You can access self assessments in the "student edition" of the premium content site. Again, use the password that came with the premium content associated with the textbook.
Post your numeric score and the type of organization to which the score corresponds. Discuss how valid you think this test is, and whether taking a test like this one and reviewing the results would be helpful to you in targeting a particular company or industry during your career search.
Please post your paragraph(s) as Asg02-GrpNN, where NN represents your 2-digit group number. If you are in Group09, for example, the subject heading will include "Asg02-Grp09" with no quotes and no spaces.
The assignment is due anytime before 12:01 a.m. on 2/12/2011, with the half-credit late deadline exactly 48 hours later.
Liaisons who have already been chosen or self-identified have no additional responsibilities; they just do the same assignment as everyone else.
You can access self assessments in the "student edition" of the premium content site. Again, use the password that came with the premium content associated with the textbook.
Post your numeric score and the type of organization to which the score corresponds. Discuss how valid you think this test is, and whether taking a test like this one and reviewing the results would be helpful to you in targeting a particular company or industry during your career search.
Please post your paragraph(s) as Asg02-GrpNN, where NN represents your 2-digit group number. If you are in Group09, for example, the subject heading will include "Asg02-Grp09" with no quotes and no spaces.
The assignment is due anytime before 12:01 a.m. on 2/12/2011, with the half-credit late deadline exactly 48 hours later.
Liaisons who have already been chosen or self-identified have no additional responsibilities; they just do the same assignment as everyone else.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Email problem today
If you sent me an email TODAY--at fogelman@albany.edu, of course--you'll have to resend it.
All my messages there were accidentally deleted. (by me...sorry)
Prof. M. Fogelman
All my messages there were accidentally deleted. (by me...sorry)
Prof. M. Fogelman
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hot seat date lists
Students can now look up their hotseat dates by selecting the Electronic Reserve icon from the Blackboard homepage and looking up their names on the list for their class section.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Blackboard Assignment #1 - Asg01-Grp##
Due by Tuesday, February 1.
(NOTE: GROUPS MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED UNTIL AFTER NEXT WEEK, SO FOR ASSIGNMENT #1 ***ONLY***, STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE THE WORK EARLY MAY POST TO THE FULL CLASS DISCUSSION. IF YOU SUBMIT EARLY, SUBSTITUTE NN FOR THE GROUP NUMBER IN THE HEADING, WHICH WILL THEN READ Asg01-GrpNN. THIS EXCEPTION IS FOR ASSIGNMENT #1 ONLY; FOR FUTURE ONES YOU WILL INCLUDE YOUR 2-DIGIT GROUP NUMBER IN PLACE OF NN, e.g., Asg02-Grp08.)
Complete Self-Assessment #1, Appreciating and Valuing Diversity, in the "student edition" of the Kinicki text's premium content site.
Post your numeric score and discuss what it means. Then do the following exercise:
Have you ever experienced a situation in which someone’s lack of awareness or sensitivity to another’s differences created a problem in the workplace? Tell the story of what happened, casting yourself as the insensitive one or as the person who suffered through someone else’s lack of regard. Discuss how the incident took place and exactly what might have been done to avoid the problem. (If you can’t think of such an actual event, you will have to invent one.)
(NOTE: GROUPS MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED UNTIL AFTER NEXT WEEK, SO FOR ASSIGNMENT #1 ***ONLY***, STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE THE WORK EARLY MAY POST TO THE FULL CLASS DISCUSSION. IF YOU SUBMIT EARLY, SUBSTITUTE NN FOR THE GROUP NUMBER IN THE HEADING, WHICH WILL THEN READ Asg01-GrpNN. THIS EXCEPTION IS FOR ASSIGNMENT #1 ONLY; FOR FUTURE ONES YOU WILL INCLUDE YOUR 2-DIGIT GROUP NUMBER IN PLACE OF NN, e.g., Asg02-Grp08.)
Complete Self-Assessment #1, Appreciating and Valuing Diversity, in the "student edition" of the Kinicki text's premium content site.
Post your numeric score and discuss what it means. Then do the following exercise:
Have you ever experienced a situation in which someone’s lack of awareness or sensitivity to another’s differences created a problem in the workplace? Tell the story of what happened, casting yourself as the insensitive one or as the person who suffered through someone else’s lack of regard. Discuss how the incident took place and exactly what might have been done to avoid the problem. (If you can’t think of such an actual event, you will have to invent one.)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Introduction to BMgt341 Blog
If you are in a Spring 2011 section of Dr. M. Fogelman's BMgt341 (Behavioral Foundations of Management), you have come to the right place. Here you will find archived all WebCT "weekly" assignments, course listserv messages, and other important information. My aim is to make the class a valuable and interesting experience. Your feedback on content and teaching methods--and other topics, as well--is always welcome. Feel free to contact me by phone, email (fogelman@albany.edu), or in person during scheduled office hours--or most any other time.
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